Crochet oval calculator

A crochet oval is a straight strip of chain with half a circle at each end. It is the base of most bags, baskets and oval rugs. This calculator works out the starting chain for the length and width you want, the number of rounds, and every round written out.

How to use the calculator

1. Enter the oval's finished length and width.
2. Enter your stitch and round gauge over 4 in (10 cm).
3. Choose sc, hdc or dc, and follow the rounds.

How the calculator works

Each curved end is half a circle as wide as the oval, so the straight middle is the length minus the width:

Straight middle = length − width

Middle stitches = straight middle × stitch gauge

Chains = middle stitches + 2 for the ends + the turning chain

Rounds = (width ÷ 2) × round gauge

Round 1 works along one side of the chain, around the far end, and back along the other side. After that, the straight sides keep the same number of stitches every round, while each end gains half a circle's increases: 3 for single crochet, 4 for half double crochet and 6 for double crochet.

Stitches in round r = 2 × middle stitches + increases × r, where the increases are 6, 8 or 12.

Reading your results

• Chains to start, rounds and stitches in the last round.
• Straight middle: its length and the stitches on each side, which stay the same every round.
• Round by round: every round written out, with the side stitches and the end increases.

Worked example

A 12 × 4 in single crochet bag base at 4 stitches and 4 rounds per inch:

• Straight middle: 12 − 4 = 8 in, which is 32 stitches.
• Chains: 32 + 2 + 1 = 35.
• Round 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 32 ch, 3 sc in last ch; working along the other side of the chain, sc in next 32 ch, 2 sc in last ch. (70 sts)
• Rounds: (4 ÷ 2) × 4 = 8, ending with 64 + 6 × 8 = 112 stitches.

Accuracy and limits

• The counts are exact and covered by our automated tests; how flat the oval lies depends on your tension.
• The increases on each end are not staggered, so large ovals can show slight corners at the ends. Move the increases by a stitch or two on alternate rounds if you see them.
• If the length and width are equal, use the flat circle calculator instead.

Common mistakes

1. Making the chain as long as the oval. The ends add the width, so the chain covers only the length minus the width.
2. Losing the ends. Place a stitch marker at the start of each curved end, so you know where the increases go.
3. Pulling the chain tight. A tight chain makes the straight sides shorter than the ends; chain loosely or use a larger hook.

Tips for more accurate results

• Working into both sides of a chain can leave a gap down the middle. Work into the back bumps first, or crochet over the starting tail and pull it to close the gap.
• For a bag, finish the base, then work one round into the back loops only without increasing; the sides then turn up neatly.
• Joined rounds: start each round with the usual turning chain and join at the end; the counts stay the same.

Frequently asked questions